Khamzat Chimaev gets Chris Weidman after Colby Covington exit
· Yahoo Sports
Khamzat
Chimaev will face former
Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion Chris
Weidman after an injury forced Colby
Covington out of their scheduled wrestling match at RAF Abu
Dhabi on Nov. 14.
Real American Freestyle announced the replacement Monday. The bout will headline the event at Etihad Arena, with the promotion’s light heavyweight crossover championship at stake. Chimaev was originally scheduled to challenge Covington for the cruiserweight crossover title.
Covington had won five consecutive RAF matches before withdrawing. His withdrawal follows a submission loss to UFC bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr. in a grappling contest at Hype FC in Rome on Nov. 3. Rosas secured a rear-naked choke in approximately 40 seconds.
Chimaev, a former UFC middleweight champion, has earned RAF victories over Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns. He also defeated Robbie Lawler at RAF 14 in October.
Weidman lost a decision to Covington in his only previous RAF appearance, at RAF 9 in May.
Real American Freestyle announced the replacement Monday. The bout will headline the event at Etihad Arena, with the promotion’s light heavyweight crossover championship at stake. Chimaev was originally scheduled to challenge Covington for the cruiserweight crossover title.
Chris Weidman replaces Colby Covington for Khamzat Chimaev's RAF Abu Dhabi wrestling title match on Nov. 14
Covington had won five consecutive RAF matches before withdrawing. His withdrawal follows a submission loss to UFC bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr. in a grappling contest at Hype FC in Rome on Nov. 3. Rosas secured a rear-naked choke in approximately 40 seconds.
Chimaev, a former UFC middleweight champion, has earned RAF victories over Dillon Danis, Tyron Woodley and Gilbert Burns. He also defeated Robbie Lawler at RAF 14 in October.
Weidman lost a decision to Covington in his only previous RAF appearance, at RAF 9 in May.
NEW MAIN EVENT Khamzat Chimaev will now face former MMA Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman for the RAF Light Heavyweight Crossover Championship on November 14 at Etihad Arena. Weidman steps in after Colby Covington was forced to withdraw due to injury. RAF ABU DHABI. NOV 14. 🇦🇪 Tickets in bio. Watch on @foxnation in the U.S. and @Starzplay in MENA— Real American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) November 9, 2026
Visit esporist.com for more information.